Job description
Overview
OXGENE is looking for a Scientist with a strong background in immunology and proven experience with primary hematopoietic cell culture to join an enthusiastic research and development team working in the rapidly expanding area of gene and cell therapy.
You will bring your immunological training and skills to a multi-disciplinary research group focused on improving cell and gene therapies. Working with lead scientists and under the direction of the Head of Discovery and Internal Research, you will apply your expertise in the culture and manipulation of hematopoietic cell types to OXGENE’s viral vector and cell line engineering programmes. Experience working with primary T cell culture is essential. You will be expected to make meaningful contributions to specific projects and areas of research from the bench, while providing support and working as part of a team. You will work with internal stakeholders to define and execute project goals and deliverables in line with planned objectives.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the design and execution of experiments to a high standard.
- Be responsible for in-house primary hematopoietic cell purification and cell culture.
- In collaboration with other groups, contribute to the research and development of viral vectors for gene therapy with a particular focus on screening of combinatorial libraries in hematopoietic cells.
- Preparation of lentivirus by transfection and quantification by qPCR.
- Cell engineering by lentiviral transduction.
- Multicolour flow cytometry analysis, magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for primary mammalian cell cultures.
- Analyse data, write reports, and present findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Work to tight deadlines.
- Keep up to date with advancements in the field.
- Develop new methods, research, and processes to improve our core platform technologies.
- Ensure that work complies with recommended Health and Safety Guidelines.
- Maintain accurate record keeping at all times, including the use of data recording forms, electronic lab notebook (eLN), and completion of OXGENE’s Laboratory Information Management system (LIMS) for the deposition of biological materials.
- Creation of quality documentation for data recording to ensure the highest standards of data integrity.
Qualifications
- A PhD involving primary T cell, B cell, or myeloid cell culture or an MSc with extensive relevant experience .
- Demonstrable experience in Ficoll separation of blood and bead-based isolation of immune cells.
- Demonstrable experience in immunostaining, multicolour flow cytometry, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).
- Demonstrable experience using and maintaining complex equipment to high standards.
- Excellent written and oral communication, fully competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications for preparing spreadsheets, reports, and other documentation. Able to present data in group meetings and communicate complex and technical ideas effectively.
- Ability to work successfully independently and in a team.
- Experience introducing and optimising new lab techniques
- Experience writing and following Standard Operating Procedures
- Experience in the field of viral vectors
- Experience in gene expression and regulation
- Experience in the field of CAR-T development
- Experience working with animal models
- Competent in standard molecular biology techniques
HOW TO APPLY
CLOSING DATE
INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL CANDIDATES
MORE ABOUT OXGENE
Company benefits
- 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 with service and 8 UK bank/public holidays per annual leave year and a day off on your birthday
- Pension with salary exchange and generous employer contribution
- Group life cover
- Group Income Protection
- Glasses vouchers
- Employee assistance programme
- Private medical insurance with additional wellness benefits (as a benefit in kind)
- Free tea, coffee, fruit-juice, fruit and biscuits, with kitchen facilities
- Financially incentivised employee referral scheme
Company culture and environment
- Modern offices and laboratories
- Opportunity to make a difference in a promotion-from-within environment
- Regular whole-company presentations, including regular scientific updates
- Regular social events, including TGI Friday activities
- Annual two-day staff away days
Diversity and equality of opportunity
The application process
Pre-employment screening
Information for recruitment agencies